Shade fixture



Patented Nov. 8, 1932 ATENT OFFICE i STEWART HARTSHORN, F SHORT HILLS,NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO STEWART HART- SHORN GOMANY, OF EAST NEW'ABK,NETJV JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY SHADE FIXTURE Applicationfiled February 5, 1932. Serial No. 591,004.

" thereto.

One object of the invention is to provide means whereby a fabric may bequickly and easily attached to a roller and firmly held thereon againsta pulling force or strain applied to the fabric during its use.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple and reliable meanswhereby a fabric may be quickly and easily attached to a roller which iscapable of longitudinal adjustment, which will permitthe length of suchroller to be adjusted without the necessity of removing the fabric.

Further objects will more fully appear in the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which F l is sideview of an adjustable shade roller constructed in accordance with thepresent invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a fabric-fastening clampwhich cooperates with a portion of the groove of the roller shown inFig. l; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the inner end of a shade fabrichaving a folded portion cooperating with said groove; F ig. .5 is a viewin elevation showing a shade roller with the shade fabric thereon and asuit-able number of the securing devices; Fig. 6 is an enlargedsectional view on theline 6 6 of Fig 5; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig.5, but with the shade fabric shown in its final position on the roller;and Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

rllhe invention offers particular advantages when using rollers thelength of which may be adjusted, yand is therefore illustrated in hedrawing and described herein in connection with such a roller. In theembodiment shown, the roller is of the type formed of sheet metal andgenerally refer red to in the trade as a. tin roller, but the inventionis not limited to rollers of this kind as they may be made of anymaterial.

Referring to Fig. l, part l of the extensible roller 2 consist-s of asheet metal strip 4 which,

after beingcut to size and prior to its being coiled into cylindricalshape, is formed in a die press with a longitudinally depressed portionor groove 5. The width of this groove is compara-tively large, and inpractice I find that approximately W8 inch width for a roller having anouter diameter of l inch is satisfactory. In Fig. 2, it will be seenthat the groove 5 comprises two longitudinal portions 6 and 7 ofdifferent depths, the portion 6 of less depth being of relativelygreater width than the other portion 7. The latter, having the greaterdepth, is of relatively smaller width and constitutes what may beconsidered a supplemental groove located within the main groove and atone side thereof. In thus forming the groove I have several purposes inmind. First I provide a shallow depression which is boardered by anarrow wall. This depression will accommodate a folded end on the shadeand permits the fab-ric toabe rolled without the fold showing throughthe subsequent convolutions, while said wall or shoulder acts as a. stopby means of which the fabric may be aligned accurately with the axis ofthe roller. Secondly, the supplemental or deeper groove accommodates twothicknesses of the fabric with an interlying end of a fastening device.The formation of this groove further provides a substantially deepshoulder which acts as a stop in cooperation with the spring clipsemployed for detachably securing the fabric in place.

In the process of manufacturing the roller tubing the strip 4 in itsflat form is first f stamped to provide the groove 5 and thereafter isfed to the forming rollers of a coiling machine which roll the strip 4to a diameter smaller than the required diameter of the finished rollerwit-hout altering the shape of the groove 5. After this coilingoperation, a. suitable number of wooden cylindrical cores or blocks arepositioned at intervals within the cylinder as indicated at 9 in Fig. l.The longitudinal margins or edge portions of the metallic strip 4, whenthe latter is assembled on the blocks, overlap one another, and requireno seaming or soldering, the tension created by coiling the metal beingsufiicient to maintain the circular form of the roller throughout itslength. Pins 10 may be used to secure the tubular strip 4 to theenclosed blocks. The roller part 1 contains the usual shade rewindngspring and locking devices (not shown) comprising the usual flat end orkey 11 on the spring spindle for engagement in the usual slottedsupporting bracket.

Part 12 of the roller 2 consists of a separate metallic strip or endsection 14 formed in the manner hereinbefore described. The groove 5formed in its surface comprises two portions 6 and 7 correspondingidentically in shape to the portions 6 and 7 of the groove 5respectively, and, as will be under# stood, corresponding portions ofthe grooves 5 and 5 are caused to be maintained in longitudinalalignment with one another. The outer end of thesheath 14 encloses a 4wooden block (not shownlwhich carries the usual supporting journal pin15.

Lengthwise adjustment of the roller 2 is provided by a circular woodencore or rod 16, of suitable length, projecting from and secured to thesheath 4, and slidingly Vextending within the end sheath 14. This rod 16is formed on its surface with a longitudinal groove 17 whichaccommodates the depressed portions of the tubes and maintains thegrooves 5 and 5 in alignment' at all times. The overlapping margins ofthe sheath 14 require no seaming, the contractile tension being amplysuficient to insure a sufiiciently tight grip of such sheath upon'theinner rod 16 to give the roller rigidity throughout its length andretain the twoV sections in their relative position of adjustment.

For securing the fabric to the roller 2, I provide a suitable number ofclamps 19, onel of which is illustrated in perspective in Fig. 3. Theseclamps 19 are formed of thin spring metal strips which are rolled orcoiled to such a diameter that they retain a set or given curvaturenormally smaller than that of the roller 2. The strips 19 are ofsuitable length and their width is preferably such that,vafterv beingcoiled and when positioned on the roller, they extend more than half wayaround its circumference. Subsequent to coiling these strips, one of thelongitudinal edges is bent to form an inwardly directed flange 20 whichis of such size that, when it is in operative position, said flange willeX# tend within the deeper or supplemental groove 7 or 7. Vhen thuspositioned, the flange of the clamp serves to engage and direct inwardlya portion of the shade fabric. It will be noted that theflangesr20-terminate short of and taper off toward the ends of therespective clamps so as to relieve sharp corners and thereby obviateaccidental tearing of the fabric as will hereinafter more clearlyappear.

As shown in Fig. 4, the inner longitudinal margin of the fabric 21 to besecured on the roller 2 is folded prior to assembly of said fabric onsaid roller to provide an inner folded end portion 22 of about the samewidth as the distance between the two shoulders formed by the main andsupplemental grooves. This folding operation is preferably performed bymachine at the time of cutting the fabric to size, so that the outerline of fold will present a straight edge parallel to the innerlongitudinal edge 24 of the fabric and perpendicular to the marginaledges of the fabric.

In positioning the fabric on the roller, the folded over portion isunfolded and laid in the shallow portion 6-6 of the groove with itsextremity 24 in engagement with the shoulder 25-25, or the crease of thefold may be inserted in the deeper part -7 of the groove. The clamps 19are then applied byl crowding their flanges 2O into the deeper orsupplemental groove 7 and forcing them into a position to grip theroller with the narrow end of the shade fabric underlying said springs,as shown in Figs. 5 and 8. Preferably, to insure the proper positioningof the fabric intermediate the ends of the roller, the two clampsclosest to the ends of the roller are first positioned thereon andtnefin termediate clamps thereafter applied. However, any inaccuracy inthe position of the fabric relative to the ends of the roller, after theclamps have been positioned on the roller, may be readily corrected bysliding the fabric 21 in one direction or the other along the rollerbeneath the clamps 19. It should also be observed that the posi tion ofthe clamps 19 on the roller may be adjusted by likewise sliding themalong the surface of the roller. In these adjustments of the fabric 21and clamps 19 on the roller 2, any tendency to tear the fabric isentirely avoided by reason of the rounded or beveled edges of the clampflanges 20.

The iinalposition of the fabric on the roller as shown in Figs. 7 and 8is caused by rotating the roller to wind the fabric in such a directionthat the portion immediately ad jacent its extremity `overlies thespring clamps.y In this way, the bight of the fabric with the clampflanges 2O is effective in firmly holding the attached fabric in placeagainst the usual pulling force applied to the fabric during its use.

As a feature of my present construction 1t should be observed that thegrooved portion is so positioned with reference to the overlapping edgesof the curved sheet that, when the spring clamps are applied, their freeends 26 will lie in proximity to the overlying edge lof the tube sheathand form virtually 'a continuation thereof. Y

The fabric fastening` means described herein permits the assembly of theshades on the rollers in the workshop and their transport thereafter infinished condition to theV windows of rooms in which the shades are tobe hung. If, as frequently occurs, t-here has been a slight error in thespecified length of a roller, it may be readily extended or contractedto comply with the actual measurements of a window casing without thenecessity of removing the shade from its roller.

It is understood that the par icular embodiment of the invention shownin the drawing and described herein is merely illustrative of theinvention, and that various other embodiments are possible withoutdeparting from its spirit. F or example, the grooves 5 and 5 need notextend along the entire length of the roller. Ailse, a single clampextending the entire length of the roller may be employed.

lhat l claim is:

l. A roller shade comprising a roller having a groove extendinglengthwise thereof forming two longitudinal shoulders of differentdepths, a fabric sheet on said roller having an inner end portionlocated within said groove and abutting the shoulder having the lesserdepth, and a curved strip of thin material on said roller having aninwardly directed flange extending into the deep portion of said groovelocated adjacent the shoulder having the greater depth and clamping saidinner end portion of the fabric in said groove against the shoulderhaving the lesser depth.

2. A roller shade comprising a roller having a groove formed on itssurface comprising two longitudinal areas of different depths, theportion of less depth being of relatively larger width and the portionof greater depth being of relatively smaller width, a fabric having aninner folded edge portion positioned within said groove with theextremity of the fabric adjacent the shoulder formed by said grooveportion of less depth, and a curved strip on said roller having aninware ly directed flange cooperating with said deeper groove portion toclamp the fold line of the fabric therein and extending in a directionto overlie the fabric extremity beyond the line, said fabric beingsubsequently wound on the roller in a. direction to overlie the curvedstrip.

3. An extensible roller shade comprising a roller consisting of twometallic sheaths longitudinally movable relatively7 to one another, eachhaving depressed portions forming aligned grooves formino' two spacedlongitudinal shoulders of did'erent depths, the portion of the grooveadjacent the shoulder of lesser depth being of relatively larger widthand the portion of the groove acent the other shoulder being ofrelatively smaller' width, a` fabric having an underlying folded endportion lying within said grooves in contact with the smaller shoulders,a .L urality of spring strips embracing the roller having inwardlydirected extremities cooperating with the deeper portions of the groovesand serving to clamp portions, ofthe fabric adjae cent its fold line,said strips extending in a direction to overlie said folded end portion.

4. ln a shade roller, the combination with a roller having alongitudinal groove form.-I ing parallel front and rear walls, the frontwall serving as an abutment parallel to the axis of the roller, of asheet of fabric placed with its end in engagement with said front wall,and a spring clamp frictionally ens gaging the roller having an endextending over said front wall and provided with an inwardly extendingextremity engaging over the fabric and forcing the latter into thegroove and into clamping engagement withl the rear wall of said groove.

5. A roller shade comprising a roller having a longitudinal grooveformed on it-s surface, said groove including a longitudinal portion ofgreater depth relatively to its remaining portion, a fabric having aninner end portion lying in said groove which provides a shoulder foralining said end portion on said roller, and a curved strip on saidroller having an inwardly extending flange cooperating with said deepgroove portion to clamp said fabric on said roller.

6. A roller shade comprising a roller having a longitudinal grooveformed on its surface, said groove including a longitudinal portion ofgreater depth relatively to its remaining portion, a fabric having aninner end portion lying in said groove which provides abutting means foralining said end portion on said roller, and a curved strip on saidroller having an inwardly extending flange forming one of itslongitudinal edges, said flange cooperating with said deep grooveportion to clamp said fabric on said roller and being rounded off at itsends to facilitate lengthwise adjustment of said fabric on said roller.

7. A roller shade comprising a roller having a longitudinal grooveforming two longitudinal portions of different depth, a fabric sheethaving an inner end portion disposed in said groove the lesser depthportion of which provides a wall for alining the fabric extremity onsaid roller, and a curved strip embracing said roller having an inwardlydirected flange cooperating with the greater depth portion of saidgroove to clamp the fabric on said roller, said strip extending in adirection to overlie said inner end portion of said fabric.

8. A roller shade comprising a roller having a longitudinal grooveforming two longitudinal portions of different depth, a fabric sheethaving an inner folded edge portion lying in said groove which providesspaced shoulders for alining said inner edge portion on the roller, anda curved strip adapted to embrace said roller having a longitudinal edgeportion iianging inwardly to cooperate with the greater depth portion ofsaid groove to clamp said fabric on said roller, said strip extending ina directionto overlie said inner edge portion of said fabric which issubsequently wound on the roller in a direction to overlie said strip.

9. An extensible roller shade comprising a roller consisting of twolongitudinally movable parts, each of said parts being formed on theirsurfaces with alined longitudinal grooves, each of said groovesincluding a longitudinal portion of greater depth relatively to itsremaining portion, a fabric having an inner end portion lying in saidgrooves which provides abutting means for alining said end portion onsaid roller, and a curved strip on said roller having a longitudinaledge flanging inwardly to extend into said deep groove portion to clampsaid fabric on said roller.

10. A roller shade comprising a roller formed of metal sheet curved intoa cylinder with the edges of said sheet overlapping each other, saidroller having a longitudinal groove spaced from the overlying edge ofsaid sheet, said groove including a longitudinal portion of greaterdepth than its remaining portion, a fabric having an inner edge portionlying in said groove which provides an abutment for alining said fabricon said roller, and a curved strip in said roller having an inwardlyflanged edge cooperating with said deep groove portion to clamp saidfabric on said roller, said strip extending in such a direction as toform a circle with said overlying sheet edge.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

STEWART HARTSHORN.

